Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a sudden, potentially deadly blockage of an artery in a lung. A small PE can damage the lung. A large PE can result in death. With quick emergency medical care, the blood clot that causes a PE can be dissolved while the damage is treated and minimized.

Often, the blood clot that causes a PE initially formed in the leg. This is a condition known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Because pulmonary embolism almost always occurs in conjunction with deep vein thrombosis, most doctors refer to the two conditions together as venous thromboembolism (VTE), the Mayo Clinic says. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute says these conditions affect 300,000 to 600,000 people in the U.S. each year.

The birth control pill Yaz – also marketed as Yasmin and Ocella and under several generic names – has been linked to an increased risk of blood clots among its users. Yaz contains drospirenone, a synthetic version of the female hormone progesterone. Serious Yaz side effects have led to personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits against Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, the manufacturer of Yaz.

Symptoms of Pulmonary Embolism

Pulmonary embolism is a complication of deep vein thrombosis, which is clotting in the veins farthest from the surface of the body, the Mayo Clinic advises. The symptoms of a PE vary according to its size and how much of the lung it affects.

A PE is a potentially deadly condition. You should get immediate medical help if you suffer any of these symptoms:

• Sudden shortness of breath
• Chest pain that becomes worse when you breathe deeply, cough, eat, bend or stoop
• Cough that produces bloody or blood-streaked sputum
• Wheezing

• Leg swelling, usually in only one leg (a sign of DVT)
• Clammy or bluish-colored skin
• Excessive sweating
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat
• Weak pulse
• Lightheadedness or fainting.

The supplemental estrogen in birth control pills can increase clotting factors in your blood, the Mayo Clinic explains. This is true of all oral contraceptives, but several independent medical studies and a study by the U.S. Food and Drug Association (FDA) have found a higher risk overall of venous thromboembolism (VTE) associated with birth control pills containing drospirenone.

Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals manufactures several drospirenone-containing birth control products, including:

• Yaz
• Yasmin
• Ocella
• Beyaz
• Gianvi

• Loryna
• Safyral
• Syeda
• Zarah.

Legal Help After Taking Yaz and Suffering Pulmonary Embolism

Drug manufacturers have a duty to ensure that their products are safe and effective when used appropriately. If a manufacturer fails to meet this duty, those who have suffered injury may pursue a product liability claim through a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit.

A drug injury lawyer who handles birth control injury cases can help a woman who has suffered a pulmonary embolism after taking Yaz, Yasmin or Ocella to recover compensation for medical expenses and other losses. A Yaz birth control injury attorney can also help the family of a woman who died because of PE that may have been induced by taking Yaz or Bayer’s generic equivalents that also contain drospirenone.

Contact a Yaz Pulmonary Embolism Lawyer Today

If you or a loved one has taken Yaz, Yasmin, Ocella or similar birth control pills as prescribed and suffered a pulmonary embolism, it is important for you to call The Driscoll Firm, LLC, today for a free and confidential consultation about your case.

Attorney John J. Driscoll represents only plaintiffs in complex product liability cases, consumer class actions and personal-injury litigation, including those injured by dangerous pharmaceuticals and medical devices. Allow The Driscoll Firm, LLC, to put our experience to work for you. Call 877-812-4524 or use our online form. You could be eligible for compensation for your losses.